Once again, the left’s green energy dreams have been crushed by reality — as the federal government was forced to suspend the operations of an offshore wind farm fast-tracked by the Biden administration after the turbine fell apart and debris littered the ocean.
As debris from the Vineyard Wind turbine continues to disrupt the local ecosystem and economy, it's important to remember that the Biden administration allowed this project to go forward despite federal laws requiring them to ensure safety and environmental protection. pic.twitter.com/HvO4gufGAy
— Texas Public Policy Foundation (@TPPF) July 18, 2024
A “blade failure incident” was reported earlier this week by Vineyard Wind’s developer, which prompted crews to be dispatched off of the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, to collect debris in the ocean and on the beaches. Local officials were forced to temporarily close the beaches to allow for cleanup and prevent beachgoers being placed in dangerous situations.
Vineyard Wind — the first large-scale offshore wind project approved in the United States — has confirmed that the massive turbine’s blade was in the middle of testing when it fell apart roughly 20 meters from its root. The disastrous outcome of the fast-tracked project came as a major blow to President Joe Biden’s efforts to rush through green energy policies, especially as it was one of the first major projects authorized by Biden, as it was approved by the Department of the Interior in May 2021, less than four months after he took office.
The failure is just the latest evidence to support critics’ argument that rapidly expanding offshore wind development would have a serious impact on the fishing industry, marine wildlife, historic coastal resources and national security.
🦞Nantucket lobsterman Dan Pronk, staring down the Vineyard Wind CEO, says
"I fish 800 lobster traps right where you're putting these tombstones, which is also the end of my business." pic.twitter.com/T9xqjjI0T4
— Nantucket Current (@ACKCurrent) July 17, 2024
However, there are still many more of these disasters waiting to happen — as the Biden administration rubbed-stamped and fast-tracked nine different commercial-scale offshore wind projects throughout his presidency in order to meet Biden’s goal of delivering 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030.
Jerry Leeman, CEO of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association, warned in a statement that incidents like this will likely happen again in the near future.
“Unfortunately, we fully expect this will happen again,” said Leeman, who has long spoken out in opposition to accelerated offshore wind development. “We do not yet know the cause of Saturday’s incident. But we do know that no human structure can forever withstand the corrosive power of the ocean.”
“The Vineyard Wind windmills are taller than the Eiffel Tower. Their blades are longer than a football field,” he added. “When they fall, they endanger vessels and degrade the environment. We must stop the industrialization of our oceans to protect mariners and marine life.”
Nantucket beaches turning into a waste dump from broke fiber glass wind turbine blades. Feds shut down the entire Vineyard Wind project.
Beaches are closed.
Huge problems if the other 1400 turbines are built like junk. pic.twitter.com/WYWmRubDqv
— Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) July 16, 2024
The cause of the incident is still unknown, though Vineyard Wind’s developer and federal officials are in the process of investigating the problem.
Beaches in Nantucket were reopened on Wednesday afternoon, though residents were still advised to wear shoes on the beach and leave their pets at home, as there may still be debris on the beach.
Meanwhile, Nantucket residents were angered over the incident, with Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy arguing that the project should be shut down.
“Vineyard Wind should be shuttered permanently,” the Nantucket resident wrote in a post on X. “You don’t get 2 strikes in this business.”
Vineyard Wind should be shuttered permanently. You don't get 2 strikes in this business. @VineyardWindUS #nantucket https://t.co/dKJ2VQRXER
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 17, 2024
